‘Mean Girls’ Dethrones ‘Wonka’ at U.K., Ireland Box Office

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Have The Plastics met their match? It’s too soon to tell, but Paramount’s “Mean Girls” musical is virtually tied with Amazon MGM’s “The Beekeeper” for first place in this unusually close box office battle. Amazon MGM is reporting that “The Beekeeper” claimed the top spot with $7.4 million from 3,337 theaters in its third weekend of release. Meanwhile, Paramount is reporting that the “Mean Girls” musical has earned $7.3 million from 3,544 venues and could win the weekend for the third time… once final numbers are tabulated on Monday.

according to IMDB’s Box OfficeLast Saturday, the film’s star, Reneé Rapp, performed on “Saturday Night Live” as its musical guest, and was introduced by Rachel McAdams, who starred in the original “Mean Girls,” released in 2004.“The Beekeeper,” remained in second place, with earnings of just over $1.8 million.Due to the success of the action thriller, its director, David Ayer, and star, Jason Statham, have decided to collaborate once again on for “Levon’s Trade,” based on comic author Chuck Dixon’s first novel, according to Deadline.The rom-com “Anyone But You” which debuted in December, is still melting hearts, and remained in third this week, raking in $1.5 million. This weekend, the film is slated to surpass the $70 million mark in domestic earnings.

J. Kim Murphy With no new wide releases this weekend, theater traffic is reaching a near halt to mark the end of January. “Mean Girls” looks to lead domestic charts once again, while the crop of freshly Oscar-nominated features look to extend their big screen runs armed with renewed new awards buzz.

In a weekend without any studio wide entries — all due to the strikes– the overall theatrical marketplace is bound to reach some sort of low: Either lower than 2023’s bottom of $51.8M for all movies (Sept. 22-24) or lower than 2022’s floor of $35M (Jan. 28-30). After last weekend saw a 2024 YTD low for 2024 YTD of $67.2M, per Comscore, -11% from a year ago, this weekend will plunge to further depths.

“Mean Girls” repeated atop the box office with $11.7 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday, while a handful of awards contenders sought to make an impact ahead of Oscar nominations Tuesday.With a dearth of new releases in cinemas, Paramount Pictures’ Tina Fey-scripted musical “Mean Girls” pushed its two-week total past $50 million, along with $16.2 million internationally. So far, it’s outpacing the tally for the 2004 original “Mean Girls.”Only one new film debuted in wide release: “I.S.S.,” a modestly budgeted sci-fi thriller starring Ariana DeBose.

So, here we are in mid-January, and though we’re staring down the barrel of a tough year ahead, it’s not all wintry doom and gloom on an international box office (and combined global) level. 

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter The “Mean Girls” movie musical topped a sleepy box office as “I.S.S.,” a sci-fi thriller that takes place aboard the International Space Station, misfired in its opening weekend. “Mean Girls” added $11.7 million in its second weekend of release, bringing its domestic tally to $50 million. Ticket sales dropped a steep 59% from its debut.

according to IMDB’s Box Office Mojo.The reboot, which The Observer called “vapid, tasteless and monumentally stupid,” is based on the Broadway musical of the same name, which was inspired by the 2004 teen comedy starring Lindsay Lohan. “The Beekeeper,” which was in first place last Friday, flew down to second, with $2.445 million in sales.This weekend, the Jason Statham action thriller is projected to enjoy a three-day estimate of $8.4 million in earnings, according to Variety.The rom-com “Anyone But You,” which debuted in December, moved down a notch to third, with $1.74 million in sales.

There’s not much going on at the weekend box office. Yes, point fingers at the dual strikes’ impact on the theatrical schedule. But it’s also January, which typically counts a couple of the year’s lowest-grossing weekends. The 3-day for all titles is looking at $68M, which is not only the first weak weekend of the New Year, but -8% off the same frame a year ago, which did $72.4M. Per Box Office Mojo, the first two weekends of January respectively grossed $85.7M and $97M.

I.S.S.,” failed to make impact, eyeing a dull opening after drawing $1.2 million from 2,520 theaters across its opening day and previews. Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, “I.S.S.” stars Ariana DeBose and Chris Messina as astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Geopolitical tensions on the ship are provoked as conflict escalates on the Earth below.

Studio Ghibli‘s animated adventure movie The Boy and the Heron is continuing to blaze a trail for anime, in Europe, Asia and North America.

Paul Mescal is hoping he doesn’t get any more famous than he already is.Mescal – who has starred in Aftersun, All Of Us Strangers, Normal People and Foe – is next set to star in Ridley Scott‘s Gladiator 2 alongside Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington and Connie Nielsen.With Gladiator 2 gearing up to be the most mainstream project Mescal has been attached to so far, it will likely introduce a new audience to the gifted Irish actor. With that attention will come new heights of fame; something Mescal isn’t too eager about.Speaking to The Sunday Times, Mescal shared that he isn’t sure what differences Gladiator 2 will introduce into his life but that he hopes it doesn’t put him in a “bad spot.”“I don’t know what the difference will be.

EXCLUSIVE: Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki has achieved his best global box office in a decade with Cannes Jury Prize winner Fallen Leaves which has racked up a total gross of $12.4M, according to figures released by its producers.

Naman Ramachandran Warner Bros.’ “Wonka” continued its reign over the U.K. and Ireland box office with £2.2 million ($2.8 million), according to numbers from Comscore. After six weekends at the box office, the Timothée Chalamet starrer has a sweet total of £56.1 million.

Michaela Zee Paramount’s “Mean Girls” musical earned a grool $33.2 million from 3,791 theaters over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, beating expectations. Based on the Broadway adaptation of the 2004 comedy classic, “Mean Girls” was originally commissioned with plans to skip theaters and make a streaming debut directly on Paramount+, but executives opted for a theatrical release after test screenings.

the 2004 Tina Fey movie, earned $28 million in its first three days in theaters according to studio estimates Sunday. Not accounting for inflation, that’s more than the $24.4 million the first movie made in its opening weekend.The “Mean Girls” competition over the Martin Luther King Jr.

Mean Girls reboot have revealed that they considered asking Harry Styles to play a key role in the new film.Directed by Arturo Perez Jr. and Samantha Jayne, and written by Tina Fey, the revamped musical version of Mean Girls was released in UK cinemas on Friday (January 12).The new film is an adaptation of the 2018 Broadway musical, which itself is based on the original 2004 movie that is also written by Fey.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter There’s a new queen bee at the box office. Paramount’s “Mean Girls” musical ruled over the competition with $32 million during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter “Wonka” has crossed a sweet box office milestone. The fantasy musical, starring Timothée Chalamet as the eccentric chocolatier, surpassed $500 million in global ticket sales. After five weeks on the big screen, “Wonka” has generated $176.2 million domestically and $329.1 million internationally, bringing its global tally to $505.3 million.

Mean Girls is on top!